Finally got around to do this, had some quotes to repair but it was in the thousands or just order a new furling system due to genuine replacement parts not available, which would have been around 6.5k with a new forestay.
I decided to repair my self, process as follows:
De-tensioned all rigging and attached two (2) halyards forward.
Unlocked the trum using the two (2) black dials on the furling system so the drum could be moved up.
Unscrewed the furling unit base from the rest of the furling unit (lucky they where not frozen).
Removed split pin from forward stay and removed the pin, forestay now detached.
Dropped the forestay/profurl drum unit down into the acnhor locker so I could slide it off the end of the forestay.
The bearings in the drum where completely gone, at a guess for over 5years at least.
Took the drum to a machine shop that had the tools to remove the fused in old outer bearing components, $0 as it was a 5 min job.
Found a new bearing and retaining clips, total cost $60AUD. Bearing speciliast measured and provided all clips in just 5minutes
Packed everything with marine grease and ready for assembly.
To able to get the forestay connected to the bow chain plate I had to completely detach the rear stays so I could get the pin in under the drum, given the bowing in the forestay as it hangs I needed as much slack as possible. I then used the topping lift and mainsheets for controlled release to get the mast to go forward more.
images below, didnt get as many as I thought unfortunately:
Old Rusted in bearings:
Cleaned and old blown out bearings left to remove:
Inner bearing part, with no ball bearings:
All done and replaced:
All up it was a pretty simply process, a little nerve racking when detension the rig.
The furling system now spins extremely smoothly, very happy with results.
Cheers, Nic
